Abstract:A gradient structure was successfully fabricated on the surface of Ti-6Al-4V alloy by high-energy shot peening (HESP), and its effect on fatigue crack propagation was investigated. Optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and X-ray diffractometer were used to characterize the microstructure and residual stress evolution during HESP. The results show that a gradient nanostructure with residual compressive stress layer of 220 μm in depth is formed. The generation of gradient nanostructures improves the strength-ductility combination of the alloy. Maximum residual compressive stress is generated on the subsurface, which gradually increases with the increase of shot peening time. HESP treatment effectively reduces the crack propagation rate and increases the fatigue crack propagation life. The residual compressive stress reduces the effective stress intensity factor range at crack tip, thereby generating the crack closure effect and delaying the crack propagation. At the same time, the synergy effects of increase in grain boundaries, decrease in effective slip length and the plastic zone at the crack tip caused by the refinement of the surface grains can increase the crack propagation resistance as well.

Key words: Ti-6Al-4V alloy; high-energy shot peening; surface gradient structure; crack propagation rate